upper cervical blog

Vertigo can be unnerving and is often described as a sensation of spinning – be it the person or the things around him. In only 50% of vertigo cases can the doctor find an actual reason, leaving the other half wondering why it is happening. Most often, head and neck trauma is seen to be the underlying cause.

During a recent study, 60 patients who suffered from vertigo were observed. Upon receiving their medical history, an interesting pattern began to develop. It was noted that 93% of these had undergone some form of trauma affecting the head or neck. The accidents involved such things as:

- Horseback riding- Vehicle accidents- Skiing- ​Tripping and falling

Only 4 of those included in the study could not recall having any trauma. The intensity of the damage did not seem to play a role, and neither did it matter if the trauma was recent or many years ago. It is not a coincidence that vertigo developed in the majority of people who have had some sort of injury to the neck. Why do head and neck injuries lead to vertigo?

​To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book

An Overlooked Potential Cause of Vertigo

The top bones of the neck – the C1 and C2 vertebrae – have the important job of protecting the brainstem. However, they are also quite susceptible to injury because of their location and ability to move freely. If they become misaligned, they can put the brainstem under stress and cause it to send faulty signals to and from the brain and body. This can wreak havoc on the entire body and cause such issues as vertigo and other health problems.

Here at our Boise, Idaho office, we employ a gentle method to help these bones to realign naturally. It does not require us to crack or pop the neck or back. When the bones are back in their proper position, the body can begin to function at its peak once again. Proper communication is restored between the brain and body. This is often all that is needed to see an improvement in or remission of vertigo. ​

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541

Don't worry you are not alone the term used to describe this type of vestibular disorder which would be further categorized as a form of dizziness is called Mal De Barquement syndrome. The term Mal De Barquement is a French phrase for "sickness from disembarkation" and disembarkation means to get off a ship or aircraft.

Mal De Barquement syndrome is a persistent dizziness where you have a continuous feeling of rocking, swaying, or bobbing. This is a form of dizziness that is in fact quite rare. The standard treatment is drug therapy which is only designed to temporarily cover up the symptoms. In our experience drugs do not work well for Mad De Barquement syndrome not to mention the body damaging side effects of drug therapies.

​Natural Treatment For Mal De Barquement Syndrome

Mal De Barquement syndrome is frequently associated with a previous head or neck injury. Our clinical experience further supports this notion. The problem that eventually leads to dizziness and vertigo symptoms in many people is a thing called Subluxation. A Subluxation occurs due to a previous accident or injury that created enough force to displace the upper two neck bones called Atlas and Axis. Collectively Atlas and Axis are known as the upper cervical spine. Initially misalignment of the upper cervical spine does not always result in symptoms right away (it can but just not typically). The average time to onset of symptoms from upper cervical spinal misalignment is 10-15 years and with vestibular disorders it is typically 20-30 years ago where there was an injury that traumatized the head or neck.

The solution to Mal De Barquement syndrome is to have your neck evaluated for Subluxation of the upper cervical spine. Dr. Grayson Blom of Boise Idaho is an Upper Cervical Chiropractic specialist that specializes in the detection correction and treatment of upper cervical spinal misalignment (Subluxation) and other spinal related disorders.

Dr. Grayson Blom is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor located in Boise Idaho. He is trained and certified in the Upper Cervical Procedure. If you suspect that you may have upper cervical spinal misalignment causing your symptoms we invite you to schedule a consultation with us to determine if you are a candidate for Upper Cervical Care (208) 559-0541 or you can send a consultation request byclicking the link.

Vertigo can hit suddenly and without warning. One may be performing normal daily activities or be in the middle of a work day, and suddenly the room seems to spin. The person may now need to sit or lie down until the sensation passes leading to the entire day being ruined.

Other symptoms that may accompany vertigo are:

Headache

Sweating

Ringing in the ears (called tinnitus)

Nausea

Health conditions that have vertigo as a primary symptom include:

Meniere’s disease

BPPV – benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Labyrinthitis

Caring For Vertigo

​One may begin the journey of finding help for vertigo by visiting an ear, nose, and throat doctor. This specialist may recommend such things as:

Anti-nausea medicine

Vestibular suppressants (to reduce the symptoms of motion sickness)

Steroid shots

While these medications do provide some semblance of relief when one is coping with an intense attack of vertigo, they are not a permanent fix. In order to find a long-lasting solution, one needs to identify the underlying cause of vertigo.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book

NATURAL, DRUG-FREE VERTIGO RELIEF IN BOISE IDAHO

​At Upper Cervical Health Center Boise, we focus on making sure that the spine is in proper alignment. We look specifically at the C1 and C2 vertebrae. The C1 or Atlas has the important job of protecting the brainstem. If it becomes misaligned, brainstem function may be disrupted. This is the communication superhighway between the brain and body. If signals become distorted, vertigo can be the end result. We use a gentle, precise method to correct the upper bones of the neck back into place. Once this is done, the body can begin heal and repair.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541

Meniere’s disease is considered a rare vestibular disorder that springs from problems in the inner ear. As a result, tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the affected ear can occur, and episodes spring up periodically ranging from mild to debilitating. The vestibular system is the body’s means of balancing and determining its location in space. Thus, anything that affects this system can result in balance problems, nausea, and more.

Because there are no medications designated specifically for Meniere’s by the FDA, various other options are considered in an attempt to curb symptoms. For example, corticosteroid shots to the ear are becoming more common. These have been proven effective for some, but the effects are temporary. Therefore, regular injections to the ear are required, and the underlying condition is still not addressed.

​To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book.

Finding Long-Term Relief From Meniere's Disease in Boise, Idaho

​At Upper Cervical Health Centers Boise, we are after the underlying cause of chronic health conditions that are spinal related—the most common culprit is a misalignment of the Atlas (C1 vertebra). Atlas is the top bone in the neck and it appears as though in many cases that misalignment of the Atlas can disrupt the function of the inner ear as well as the vestibulocochlear nerve.

In a study of 139 Meniere’s patients, vertigo and other symptoms were significantly reduced after upper cervical chiropractic care was administered. The average level of vertigo severity decreased from 8.5 out of 10 to a mere 1.4 in just 6 weeks. It is also important to note that the patients in this study all had a history of whiplash injuries.

If you are suffering from Meniere’s disease, especially if you have a history of head or neck trauma, then we would like to offer you a complimentary consultation to determine if you are a candidate for upper cervical care.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541

Meniere’s disease is a condition of the inner ear that is accompanied by the following symptoms:

Tinnitus: Ringing, buzzing, roaring, or whistling noise in the ear

Feeling of pressure or fullness in the affected ear

Hearing loss that may become permanent over time

Recurring episodes of vertigo: The feeling that the person or the environment around him is spinning

Generally, only one ear is affected

Out of the above-listed symptoms, the one that often causes the most problems is vertigo. It can interfere with a person’s daily routine and even affect the way he or she interacts with other people. Vertigo can:

Be accompanied by nausea and vomiting

Result in extreme tiredness for up to two days

Last anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book

What’s Behind Meniere’s Disease?

The cause of Meniere’s has not been clearly defined, but there is a strong link between it and a misalignment of the upper neck vertebrae. The top two vertebrae are more susceptible to misalignment due to their range of motion. This misalignment can irritate the cranial nerve that controls balance and hearing, leading to pressure and swelling of the auditory tube and/or nerve itself.

A clinical study was done on 139 patients with Meniere’s disease, all of whom reported having previous head or neck trauma due mostly to vehicle accidents. After receiving care from an upper cervical chiropractor, they saw a dramatic improvement in their vertigo and Meniere’s disease symptoms. Some had Meniere’s go away entirely.​At Upper Cervical Health Center—Boise, we have seen similar results. If a patient has an upper cervical misalignment the communication between the brain and body is commonly interfered with disrupting its ability to communicate. This wreaks havoc on the entire body creating all kinds of health-related problems, including Meniere’s disease. Once corrected, the body begins to heal itself and communicate optimally once again. Many patients with Meniere’s disease have thus been helped by receiving upper cervical care.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541

Head and neck injuries can wreak havoc throughout a person’s body. Just a few problems that may occur are dizziness, disequilibrium (feeling off balance), and vertigo. Often, when these neck injuries occur it will result in disruption to the balancing systems of the body. Even more common is the fact that head and neck injuries that result in spinal misalignment are very commonly missed or overlooked.

The Brainstem

The upper cervical spine is comprised of the top two vertebrae of the neck (Atlas and Axis). The brainstem is protected by these bones. If an injury occurs to the head or neck, it can cause the bones here to come out of alignment. The body then begins to compensate for this problem. The head, weighing up to sixteen pounds, needs to sit on top of the vertebrae properly. If not, the body begins to twist to make up for this. This process is called the righting reflex. It is what enables the eyes to stay in line with the horizon, keeping a person in balance. When the body compensates for a misalignment, undue pressure is put on the brainstem and resulting spinal structures, in turn, the nervous system does not function properly. ​

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book.

The brainstem is the key to helping a person stay balanced. It extends from the brain throughout the upper neck vertebrae and then it becomes the spinal cord that connects with nerves that lead to the rest of the body. The brainstem is given positional information from the upper neck through pressure sensors. Information is also collected from the ears via the cranial nerves that mix together in the brainstem to create your sense of balance. If these signals are being distorted due to a misalignment, vertigo, dizziness, and disequilibrium are commonly the result.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Boise Idaho

Dr. Blom is experienced in treating patients with balance issues. The point of upper cervical care is to detect misalignment in the upper cervical spinal column and work to correct it through gentle, effective means. This will bring the head back into proper position, and the rest of the body will follow. At this point the body will begin a healing process, maintaining the spinal correction will allow for symptoms to fade away as the body heals itself. ​

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541

Vertigo feels as if a person or the things around him are spinning. It can affect anyone at any time. Jordin Sparks, an American singer, songwriter, and actress, has suffered with it as well. Jordin rose to fame after she won the sixth season of American Idol in 2007. When vertigo hit her, she tweeted that she was unable to sleep for four days in a row. She related that her vertigo was very serious, feeling dizzy while lying down and while being up. Interestingly, in 2009 her CD was out with a song entitled “Vertigo”. However, she was singing about being in love, not about feeling so dizzy you could not function.​Jordin Sparks has a lot of company when it comes to those that are suffering from vertigo and similar vestibular disorders. Doctors struggle to find the right medication to treat their patients, although many over-the-counter and prescription medications are available. While some may offer temporary relief, it is important to find the underlying cause of vertigo so that it does not return.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book

Vertigo and Upper Cervical Chiropractic CareA link has been seen between people who suffer vestibular disorder (such as dizziness, disequilibrium, and vertigo) and head and neck trauma. It seems that the majority of people who are suffering from these things have had some kind of head or neck trauma either recently or many years prior to having vertigo. Some of the most informative studies and research have been performed in the last five years.

At Upper Cervical Health Centers of America in Boise, Idaho, we specialize in treating such disorders as vertigo. We focus on the upper neck vertebrae and making sure it is in proper alignment. A misalignment in this area can lead to undue pressure being exerted on the brainstem. This can distort signals being sent to the brain about where the body is located. It can also lead to dizziness and vertigo. This area of the body is closely related to the inner ear and can determine whether or not it functions properly when it comes to balance. Once a misalignment is corrected, many of our patients report feeling much better. They are happy to have found a simple, pain-free solution that is long-lasting.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541

Meniere’s disease has as a primary symptom the sensation that a person is spinning (also called vertigo), accompanied by ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and a feeling of fullness in the ears. Usually, only one ear is affected. Up to fifteen of every one hundred thousand people are suffering from this condition.

Treatment of Meniere’s Disease

There are few options available to patients with Meniere’s disease. Some medical doctors may prescribe certain drugs that address the symptoms. There are injections available in some cases. And even surgery is a possibility. However, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to find a natural, non-invasive treatment that comes with no harmful side-effects? The answer may be close at hand.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care and Meniere’s Disease

Upper cervical care has been successful in the treatment of Meniere’s disease. At Upper Cervical Health Centers of America in Boise, Idaho, we use multiple treatment methods including the Blair technique. When a person has an upper neck misalignment, pressure is put on the central nervous system. The Blair technique helps to relieve that pressure resulting in relief of Meniere’s symptoms. Let’s take a deeper look at how this works.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book

We focus our attention on something called the reticular formation. This is the core of the brainstem where the nervous system is located. The reticular formation regulates sleep, cardiovascular and respiratory function, and organizes eye and limb movement. The reticular formation works in conjunction with the vestibular nuclei to signal the spine to help maintain proper posture. This information comes from the eyes, joints, muscles, and inner ear through the brain and, in turn, allows the body to move. If a misalignment is causing these signals to be disrupted, Meniere’s disease can be the result.

We will work with each individual patient to find and correct this misalignment. Many of our patients have reported a decrease in symptoms, with some having complete remission of Meniere’s disease. A study performed involving sixty patients with vertigo revealed that all had improved symptoms after seeking the care of an upper cervical chiropractor.

Dizziness is one of the main reasons that adults visit the doctor. Approximately 15% of people experience it while the number jumps to 40% in older ones. It can significantly affect a person’s life if it happens frequently. The good news is that it rarely signifies a life-threatening condition. Dizziness has been described as:

Vertigo - the sensation that a person is spinning or moving when they are not

The feeling of floating or wooziness

Feeling off balance or unsteady

Feeling like a person is going to faint or feeling lightheaded

If a person contacts his or her doctor for help with dizziness, more-than-likely the doctor will prescribe one of the following medications:

Antihistamines

Anti-nausea medication

Water pill

Anti-anxiety

Antibiotics to be injected into the ear

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and vertigo download our complimentary e-book

The Dangers of MedicationAbout half of all insured people living in the USA are taking some form of prescription drugs, according to the National Institute of Health. Why is this dangerous?

When medications are first developed and are being tested, they are generally given to adult males ages 25 – 50. A woman, child, or elderly person can have an entirely different reaction to these medications due to hormones, age, and other medicine being taken at the time. When a doctor recommends a new medication, it is wise for the person to evaluate what risk it may pose and whether or not it is really the right option. Before deciding, he may want to look into more natural means of treatment.Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for DizzinessI am among a small group of chiropractors to practice this natural approach to treating dizziness and a number of other health problems by focusing attention on the health of the upper spine. At Upper Cervical Health Centers of America in Boise, ID, we treat each of our patients as unique individuals, just as they are. We understand that what works for one may not work for the other. So, we tailor our treatment according to the person’s needs. We have seen much success in treating patients for dizziness.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541​

Dizziness is one of the main reasons that adults visit the doctor. Approximately 15% of people experience it while the number jumps to 40% in older ones. It can significantly affect a person’s life if it happens frequently. The good news is that it rarely signifies a life-threatening condition. Dizziness has been described as:

Vertigo - the sensation that a person is spinning or moving when they are not

The feeling of floating or wooziness

Feeling off balance or unsteady

Feeling like a person is going to faint or feeling lightheaded

If a person contacts his or her doctor for help with dizziness, more-than-likely the doctor will prescribe one of the following medications:

Antihistamines

Anti-nausea medication

Water pill

Anti-anxiety

Antibiotics to be injected into the ear

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines download our complimentary e-book.

The Dangers of MedicationAbout half of all insured people living in the USA are taking some form of prescription drugs, according to the National Institute of Health. Why is this dangerous?

When medications are first developed and are being tested, they are generally given to adult males ages 25 – 50. A woman, child, or elderly person can have an entirely different reaction to these medications due to hormones, age, and other medicine being taken at the time. When a doctor recommends a new medication, it is wise for the person to evaluate what risk it may pose and whether or not it is really the right option. Before deciding, he may want to look into more natural means of treatment.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for DizzinessI am among a small group of chiropractors to practice this natural approach to treating dizziness and a number of other health problems by focusing attention on the health of the upper spine. At Upper Cervical Health Centers of America in Boise, ID, we treat each of our patients as unique individuals, just as they are. We understand that what works for one may not work for the other. So, we tailor our treatment according to the person’s needs. We have seen much success in treating patients for dizziness.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Blom click the button below or call 208-559-0541